World Reviewer rating

Serre Chevalier on a Snowboard

If tight terrain freeriding is your thing then this huge valley resort complies. The guide books say it’s like one huge funpark with its obstacles and smooth bowls to play in. The runs are mostly along the valley, which runs for ever, so there is plenty of choice about the kind of terrain to go for and about the challenge, but this is a good choice for beginners with lots of nice even runs to work your way up on. Less for the real pros but there are a couple of halfpipes and a park and enough backcountry to keep most people occupied for a month so it’s up to you to choose your own adventure. There’s a big vertical drop, like 1000 metres, which you have probably seen photos or video of.

Serre Chevalier is really well set up for boarders among the French resorts, the parks are kept in good conditions and locals tend to share the joy a bit more than in some of the other French resorts. More space I guess and a bit of money to put into the sport by the sounds of things recently.

The atmos is quite sweet, pretty alpine villages dot the higher slopes, Chantemerle is probably the one with best access to the slopes, but I’ve heard good reports about the others as well, Le Monetier comes up a lot.

Travel box

Other expert and press reviews

Vast and varied terrain if the conditions are right this is one of the best spots in France. Especially if you’re a freeriding fan. The trees around Les Vallons de la Cucumella cover up some pretty steep terrain and the runs here are some of the longe… Read more...